Method of making prepreg
AssigneeReichhold Chemicals, Inc.
InventorsSean P. Walsh, Nelson H. Douglass
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A formable prepreg, and a method of making a formable prepreg by a pultrusion process. The method includes (a) impregnating reinforcing fiber with a thermosetting resin matrix, and (b) passing the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber through a die within which the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber is subjected to conditions sufficient to thicken the thermosetting resin matrix, to provide a formable prepreg. The present invention also provides a method of making a molded article using the prepreg of the present invention.
Claims29
A method of making a formable prepreg comprising:
- (a) impregnating reinforcing fiber with a thermosetting resin matrix comprising a thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of unsaturated polyester, phenolic and vinyl ester resins;
- and
- (b) passing the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber through a die within which the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber is subjected to conditions sufficient to thicken the thermosetting resin matrix to a B-stage, to provide a formable prepreg.
A method of making a formable prepreg comprising:
- (a) impregnating reinforcing fiber with a thermosetting resin matrix comprising an unsaturated polyester resin and a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of crystalline unsaturated polyesters, polyurethanes, alkali earth metal oxides or hydroxides, and polyureas;
- and
- (b) passing the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber through a die within which the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber is subjected to conditions sufficient to thicken the thermosetting resin matrix to a B-stage, to provide a formable prepreg.
A method of making a molded article having a predetermined shape, said method comprising:
- (a) impregnating reinforcing fiber with a thermosetting resin matrix comprising a thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of unsaturated polyester, phenolic and vinyl ester resins, to provide resin impregnated reinforcing fiber;
- (b) passing the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber through a die within which the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber is subjected to conditions sufficient to thicken the thermosetting resin matrix to a B-stage, to provide a formable prepreg;
- and
- (c) molding the formable prepreg under conditions sufficient to cure the B-staged thermosetting resin, to form a molded article having a predetermined shape.
A method of making a formable prepreg, said method comprising pultrusion reinforcing fiber impregnated with a thermosetting resin matrix through a die, wherein said thermosetting resin matrix comprises a thermosetting resin selected from the group consisting of unsaturated polyester, and vinyl ester resins, solubilized in a vinyl monomer, and a polymerization initiator system including at least one polymerization initiator, and wherein the resin impregnated reinforcing fiber is subjected to conditions within the die which are sufficient to activate at least one polymerization initiator to partially cure the thermosetting resin matrix to a B-stage, to provide a formable prepreg.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.